Foster Bridget Cassidy

Markle Vanrick is cursed by the gods. Nothing in his life has ever worked out. So, when he works up the courage to leave home with only his lute, it’s only natural his money is stolen and he’s stuck without a way to get to his cousin’s farm.<br><br>Enter Frye Indori, a mischievous man who lives life to the fullest -- only because he’s a few steps away from being caught and killed. Blessed with magic from the goddess Magana, Frye fled his hometown to escape the clutches of the corrupt priestess performing evils in the goddess’s name. When he runs into helpless Markle, he feels obligated to show Markle there is some good in the world.<br><br>Like it or not, Markle gets caught up in Frye’s game of fox and hare. When the priestess finally catches them, Markle may have a few surprises of his own.

Music and Magic

They reached the edge of the city, and the wall loomed up ahead. Finally, they slowed. Their rush toward the exit might cause the gatekeepers to shut it, sealing them in. As it was, the stationed guards eyed them suspiciously, probably due to their winded state and sweat stained clothing. Still, they weren’t stopped. Outside the wall, they ran again.


“I can’t…keep this up…much longer,” Markle panted.


“Keep moving,” Frye answered. He sounded a lot less winded, but his stamina had to be high due to his dancing. Markle didn’t have that same advantage.


On this side of the wall, a dense forest loomed in the distance.


“We can find a place to hide there,” Frye said, nodding toward the green backdrop. “It can’t be more than two miles.”


Markle groaned, but kept going. His legs hurt, and each time he landed on his left foot, a stitch ran up his side. He couldn’t take a full breath into his lungs because they burned.


Chapter 37